Environment Canada ends Manitoba Hydro Outages warning after 109 km/h Manitou gust

Environment Canada ended the manitoba hydro outages wind warning for Southwestern Manitoba, the Pembina Valley and the western Red River Valley at 7:51 p.m. Sunday, May 3, after Manitou recorded a peak gust of 109 km/h. The warning had covered Melita, Virden, Brandon, Boissevain, Killarney, Pilot Mound, Manitou, Morden/Winkler, Carman, Portage la Prairie, Altona and Morris.

Manitou and surrounding communities

Manitou posted the strongest reading in the region at 109 km/h. Holland reached 85 km/h, Jordan/Clearwater 82 km/h, Treherne/Baldur 81 km/h, Elm Creek 80 km/h and Somerset 79 km/h.

Other peak gusts included Morris/Emerson at 75 km/h, Altona at 73 km/h, Dominion City at 71 km/h and Carman at 70 km/h. Environment Canada had said severe wind gusts above 90 km/h were possible in showers that afternoon.

Chris Sumner on the front

Chris Sumner, a CMOS Accredited Weathercaster, said at 4:30 p.m. Sunday that radar imagery already showed a defined line of light showers over Southern Manitoba within the warning area. He said, “Those showers developed, and will continue developing, along a very strong cold front that's sweeping through the region.”

After the front passed, Sumner said, “This cold front is ushering in a very chilly for this time of year airmass out of northern Canada,” and added, “A deep trough in the jet stream is developing, and along with an upper level low generating northerly flow aloft, the two will add up to well below average conditions for much of this week.”

Southern Manitoba forecast

Sumner said temperatures would fall from Sunday afternoon highs of 20 to 22 degrees to +2 to +3 overnight. He said Monday through Wednesday highs were expected to be between 6 and 8 degrees, with warmer conditions starting Thursday and the weekend looking seasonal.

The warning ended after the strongest gusts were recorded, but the regional forecast still pointed to colder air settling in behind the passing front.